The Murfreesboro Little Theatre celebrated their 45th year on Saturday, Aug. 11, with fanfare, awards, desserts, hors d’oeuvres, and fine wines.
The awards show played to a packed house of about 100?and who needed limos, red carpets, low-cut sequined dresses, tuxes and huge skylights? The ceremonial gala went just fine without all the hoopla and egos you see at the Oscars. There was enough hugging and kissing to make one think they were at a family reunion and grandma was the center of attention.
The event actually started on time, unusual for any theatre or the actors therein.
Wayman Price began with a very witty musical rendition of the 2006 – 07 rundown of productions at MLT, and Richard Hogan, outgoing MLT President came onstage with the events of the past season that makes the theater the attraction that it is.
A listing of the award winners reads like a who’s who of the stage in Murfreesboro, and having seen many of these productions myself, I know the judges had a hard time picking a winner in each category because they were ALL winners.
Receiving awards for the past season were as follows:
Choreography: Candilyn Ford, Wayman Price, Kiss Me Kate
Musical Direction: Charlie Parker, Kiss Me Kate
Hair/Make Up: Gary Parker, Kiss Me Kate
Special Effects: Tyson Smith, Daniel Hedden, Wait Until Dark
Stage Management: Kaitlin Beck, Kiss Me Kate
Props/Set Decor: Valerie Whitlock, for Wait Until Dark
And receiving awards for their part in making MLT THE theater of Murfreesboro:
Actor, minor role: Gary Parker, Kiss Me Kate
Actress, minor role: Amy Bernstein, Kiss Me Kate
Actor, supporting role: William Keathley, Babes in Toyland
Actress, supporting role: Elyce Rae Helford, Kiss Me Kate
Actor, Lead: Bob Roberts, Wait Until Dark
Actress, Lead: Miriam Truax, Kiss Me Kate
Best Light Design: Jonathan Parris, Wait Until Dark
Set Design: Charlie Parker, Kiss Me Kate
Best Production/Director: Wayman Price, Wait Until Dark
Dot Award (Longevity): Pat Prosser
Dumpy Award (Volunteerism): Nancy Aragon
Henry Patthey Award: Jim & Connie Corley
Laura Salmon Award: J. T. Powers (presented by Lourene Mackey)
The entertainment event of the night was a preview of November’s High School Musical by nine truly talented teenagers whose choreography was amazing. Wayman Price will be directing this very popular musical this fall, and I cannot wait to see it.
It was most wonderful and entertaining evening at the MLT.
